The Valley Line: Lost in the stars with Muse/ique at Caltech

On Sunday, even before I opened my eyes, I knew that it was going to be a different kind of summer day. The breeze coming through the window was cool and fragrant. The birds in the trees outside seemed to be happier than usual, and chirping loudly.

It was a perfect opportunity for me to make a cup of coffee and climb back into bed to finish the book I had been glued to for the previous few days. The book that had captured my almost undivided attention is "Inferno" by Dan Brown. It is based on Dante's famed epic poem and set in my favorite country in the world, Italy. Not only did I enjoy reading how he described the cities of Florence and Venice as I followed the exciting action that had as many twists and turns as the warren of narrow streets of those famed cities, but I loved the intrigue. Brown always knows how to dish out historical facts with a spoon full of sugar. That is a beautiful talent.

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After listening to the weather forecast later that evening, I'm already dreading the triple-digit numbers that we will be experiencing soon.

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What a great concert it was when Muse/ique opened up its "Summer Sound 2013" at Caltech's Beckman Mall in Pasadena recently.

This is truly a wonderful venue in this campus mall edged with olive trees — relatively cool, too, I might add, because the surrounding buildings provide a certain amount of shade.

Artistic Director Rachael Worby conducted the orchestra in a musical mash-up of works by Brubeck, the Beatles, Ellington, Weill, Paganini and more.

This concert was called "Lost in the Stars," with award-winning legend Patti Austin, who completed her set with her fabulous styling of the jazz song, "How High the Moon."

Muse/ique is known for its counter-conventional performances that feel more like parties than formal concerts. The next concert is scheduled for this Saturday night and is themed "Moving Pictures." It will feature groundbreaking cellist Matt Haimovitz and actress Wendie Malick (TV's "Hot in Cleveland") in a fresh take on motion picture scores by Elmer Bernstein, Jerry Goldsmith and Erich Korngold.

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Emily Elizabeth Schreck of La Cañada Flintridge made her bow to society at the 52nd debutante ball at The Pasadena Guild of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, held in the ballroom of the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena. Emily is the daughter of Raymond Charles and Cheryl Schreck.